Long live the 'queen'!

East County resident Ruth McBurney sat with a tiara atop her head, smiling as her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren gathered around, chatting with one another and snacking on appetizers. The cause? To celebrate her 100th birthday, which was Aug. 12, a few days early Aug. 10.

McBurney, who donned a fuchsia top, pink slacks and matching slippers, also sat with queen-and-princess-themed balloons and decorations behind her over-sized throne at the Whisper Bend home of her granddaughter, Louise Sarna.

“I’d do it all over again,” McBurney said, of living to be 100. “This is wonderful. Look at all of them (my family). Each one of them is full of love, and that’s the most important thing.”